lyner

There's a lot of energy stored in the stretched membrane. Any small fault or weakness can develop in the material (cheap and cheerful production) the stress gets localised and the failure is catastrophic - it can't deflate gently.

There's a lot of energy stored in the stretched membrane. Any small fault or weakness can develop in the material (cheap and cheerful production) the stress gets localised and the failure is catastrophic - it can't deflate gently.

Thank ewe Sophiecentaur. Are ewe suggesting that I would be economical with my kids by buying el cheapo balloons !! ?...

After a while the membrane becomes stiff and is not as elastic as it used to be so it goes 'POP'

Thank ewe very much Chemistry4me. This adds and corroborates Sophies answer !..It's just that I've never had a balloon self destruct on me before. It must have been depressed !...now it's just deflated !!